Somali Minister of Sport leads a cleaning campaign at Stadium Mogadishu following AU troop withdrawal

Somali Minister for Youth and Sport Hon. Khadija Mohamed Diriye together with Somali Football Federation president Abdiqani Said Arab and his deputy Ali Abdi Mohamed have led a huge cleaning campaign at Stadium Mogadishu on Tuesday, 23 October 2018.

The cleaning campaign which followed the recent vacation of African Union Peace Keepers from the national football facility is part of a huge government-led programme which is aimed at the renovation of the stadium after many years of serving as a military base for African Union Peace Keepers in Somalia (AMISOM).

The cleaning campaign was participated by volunteers including government officials, local footballers and members of Somali expatriate football team who are in the country on an invitation to play friendly matches with four Somali Premier League giants.

"The cleaning campaign led by our Minister of Sport Honourable Khadija Mohamed Diriye is meant to pave the way for the near future renovation of the stadium as promised by prime minister Hassan Ali Khayre. With the help from our minister, the SFF is going to make arrangements for the near future use of the facility, as long as AU troops have now vacated," Somali Football Federation president Abdiqani Said Arab, told journalists after taking part in Tuesday’s cleaning campaign at Stadium Mogadishu.

"The cleaning process is now in its final stage, as all the trees which grew in the facility have now been removed. We are looking forward to seeing Stadium Mogadishu hosting football matches in the near future, the government is drawing special programme for the facility and I am thankful to the Minster for Youth and Sport Honourable Khadija Mohamed Diriye for such a great work," Somali Football Federation president Abdiqani Said Arab told journalists.

On her side, Minister for Youth and Sport Honourable Khadija Mohamed Diriye said that Stadium Mogadishu was once one of the most beautiful sporting facilities in Africa and the Middle East adding that Somali government is committed to ensuring that Stadium Mogadishu be returned to its normality to be able to host local and international football competitions.

"For many years, Stadium Mogadishu has experienced the most difficult times in its history. The terrible conditions that Stadium Mogadishu underwent left much sorrow in the hearts of millions of Somalis, but now we are fully pleased as the facility back into the hands of the people and will be used for the purpose it was built for," Minister for Youth and Sport Honourable Khadija Mohamed Diriye, said.

However, for the past five years Somali Football Federation has been demanding for the troop with drawl from the Stadium which finally is fully returned into the hands of the people.